Author Topic: The Dyson Project  (Read 10019 times)

Offline Lancefighter

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The Dyson Project
« on: January 25, 2010, 03:16:59 pm »
This shall be a short AAR about my events with the Dyson Sphere...


As we all could agree, the Dyson Spawn is one of the best units at killing anything that isnt core, as long as there are no ion cannons on the planet. Now, most people in this situation would wonder.. What does it take to get your hands on some of these....

Well, I found my sphere rather early. Its about 8 hops from my home planet, and on a very lightly defended world. In almost no time at all, it conquered that world and moved on to other ones..
This is all well and great, as its a rather inconsequential world in the long run. However...

"warning: Rebel colony losing invisibility in 2 hours at *dyson world*"
wait, what?! You expect me to go save a rebel human colony from becoming visible... and then protect it from the Sphere?!
This is ridiculous.

However, watching the Dyson's spawn patterns leads me to believe it cant be that much of a problem... Yeah, one per 10-20 seconds? Doable.
It also claims they are weak to space planes, and lucky for me, I picked those up from an ARS not too long ago. I figured it cant be too hard - Spam planes at the dyson, win,.... right?

I move my fleet into position, while navigating through a world infested by some 300 dyson spawn that were incapacitated by an Ion cannon. Scary.. Thankfully, cloaking starships were there to save the day \o/

Once through, I destroyed the command station at the Dyson's planet, making any new spawn friendly to me. I had about 50 minutes left on the rebel colony at this point... 

I move my space planes into a position between me and the Dyson, and plop down a command station.. I rush it to completion, and set up a space dock, starship constructor, and forcefield. I unlock plane mk2s,(and parasite stars..)  and start cranking them out to defend against the spawn. Moments later.. 5 of them appear and beeline my command center... Another moment.. 5 more.. and 5 more...
Thankfully, it seemed after the first 20 they slowed down a bit, giving my rapidly dieing and being replaced space planes some breathing room. I decided I need to unlock space plane mk3's.. but i havnt the knowledge!
I /NEED/ those now, so I send a cloaking starship with some labs out to collect what I need.. The Dyson did an excellent job cleaning up the nearby systems, so thats fairly easy.

Let it be known that this battle was not a particularly easy one. For each dyson spawn shot, a space plane dies. They have a refire rate of .5 seconds.. and with 5 of them spawning at a time, the entire time was a battle to see which side could keep more coming out of their docks.. And for the me, it was also hoping that my resources would hold out long enough to finish the job.

As it happens, once I was able to start getting mk3's into the field, I could slowly move forward my line. Slowly, very slowly, the line was pushed back towards the dyson. Over the course of the better part of an hour, I inched my line across the system, extending my supply line, hoping that it wasnt too far to pump reinforcements across.
Eventually, I had made it. I moved my space planes to surround the Dyson, and proclaimed "CHECKMATE" loudly. My roommate gave me a weird look. I had finally beat the Dyson at his own game.

But no, I am not done. The battle has only begun..
Remmeber those parasite starships I unlocked earlier? With my space planes at the Dyson's Doorstep, I shifted engineers over to my starship constructor. Finally...

A parasite emerges. This is what I had been waiting for. The chance. The solution. The Endgame.

my parasite moves into position to engage the Dyson. Nothing can stop me now.
His spawn emerges.. My parasite opens up its gigantic om nom nom cannon.

They are mine.

Victory.
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Author of the Dyson Project and the Spire Gambit

Offline Aegis

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Re: The Dyson Project
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2010, 04:19:30 pm »
You could have just instantly destroyed the command station. dyson would have stopped cranking out enemy units, and you would still have the rebel colony i believe.

Offline RCIX

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Re: The Dyson Project
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2010, 04:55:38 pm »
Also, why are you even trying to grab that world? AFAIK, the Dyson sphere won't attack other minor factiions and it's Gatlings make for the best defense out there, so just leave it alone. Maybe briefly build a command station and spam out the cap of the resistance ships, but i'd just leave it alone.
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Offline Lancefighter

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Re: The Dyson Project
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2010, 05:03:09 pm »
>.> I wanted the dyson gatlings actually.
Had they been immune to reclaimation, I wouldve left it alone..

But having a vanguard of 25 of the galaxy's best anti-everything (except core D: ) ships certainly was worth it. Even if they did cost somewhere around 3k spaceplanes...
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Offline Lancefighter

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Re: The Dyson Project
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2010, 11:18:04 pm »
Turns out, those 25 of the galaxy's finest were exactly what won me the game.
Granted, they are only a tad bit overpowered.. Shoots through forcefields, does insane damage to <everything>, home command stations arent listed as core, etc.

Anyway, was truly an epic battle for the end.

I sat next door to the second AI home, watching, waiting. 5 flights of space planes had been sent through in an attempt to quell the imposing Mass Driver stationed in orbit. None had returned.. Not even a com burst from any of them.

It was time: The fleet must mobilize.

Word was sent to the industrial divisions. Cloaker starships, fighters, bombers, space planes.. Hell, even the zenith shredders.. Everything I could make, i needed it here, NOW.
Anything and everything was loaded into the transports. The centerpiece - A launched designed to cloak lightning warheads for their suicidal flight from as damn close as I can get them. Those AIs sure dont skimp on security - Warhead interceptors everywhere. The only way I would get a chance to use those warheads was if they were uncloaked the moment they were used.

And I intended to make each one count.

With the fleet, and any sorry piece of equipment I could pass off as a suitable decoy for the AIs to shot at loaded into my transports, I had a single objective on my mind. It would be us, or them at the end of today - No compromise. Either this plan would work, or everything would fall to pieces.

Transports loaded up, I formed up the fleet on the few precious pieces of safety I could bring forth: 3 magnificent mk2 cloaker starships. What beauties.. Tis a pity you can never see them until its too late. First step - Clear the way. Through the hole goes the first lightning warhead. We wait the 3 second fuse, and start hauling ass. Our objective - Beeline the mass driver. Destroy it. From there, form up with what ships we have left and make a suicidal run at the command station. Any assets unable to be useful against it will be redirected towards keeping the damned AI off our backs while we make our attack run.

Through the hole. Its quit... From my panel, I note an overwhelming number of.. Everything. There was no chance of getting out of this alive.

Silently, we stream out way from the wormhole, to our target. One of our freighters slips out of alignment and drops cloak.. Destroyed moments later. I sigh, thinking of all the good men who neednt have been lost there.. And hope I still have enough for my run.

At the target.. Theyve got tachys on our cloaker starships! Its now or never. I take a deep breath, and order it to begin.

Dampened thuds shake our ship as the warheads are launched into the mass of AI bombers.. I watch them stream across space, and wince as two of them get picked off by the Interceptor before reaching their targets. I need every piece of hardware I can get on the field, and those Interceptors sure arent helping.

With the warheads detonated, I order the transports to drop their loads and get the hell out of here. I order my Starships back to full power mode, and broadcast a target for the fleet. The Mass Driver. Volleys of missiles pour from my port and starboard batteries, and I can see the shelling from my Spire's pulling up the aft. However, they certainly arent going without a fight. A com channel opens from the lead Flagship: "Sir! Weve lost lost containment on the lower decks, and power is about to go.. I dont thi-k -e c-- -------" silence. I take a moment to mourn the loss of my fellow Captain. We went to officer school together.. Ah the bright times, the eagerness and innocence still in our eyes..

I am jolted back to reality as my port Spire suddenly drops off, listing to the side.. In a moment, I notice the gaping hole that once was the bridge of the magnificent vessel. What is this world coming to....

Suddenly, silence. No missiles leaving their bays, no hostile fire pouding on our hull. I look up, recognizing the remains of the fearsome Mass Driver tumbling across the viewport. Oh heavens how much loss that single item has caused.. The AI shall pay for this.

I take a moment to reorganize the fleet - We have taken heavy losses in almost all sections, bombers reporting nearly a third strength, fighters nearly gone. I cant even make out what happened with my planes.. They seem to have dropped off the map entirely. As for my starships.. err. Not many left. I can still see my sistership to my starboard side, but no other starship hull is in one piece. I hope its still enough.. I note a veritable flood of hostile bombers coming up from galactic north. Oh hell, I think to myself.. When I see a shiny black mass glimmering in the distance, positively identified as.. My viral shredder swarm? I watch as they effortlessly chew their way through the approaching bomber mass, almost imagining the shink shink of their blades across the AI hulls.

Sweet retribution indeed, my swarm seeming to grow in my view. What magnificent creatures, the shredders...  checking their counts, they are reaching over 400 from the meals today. Must be rather tasty, these core bombers..

Well, time for the final assault. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. This certainly hasnt been my first daring and hubris-filled maneuver, but the last time I tried netted me some very valuable pieces of hardware, and I didn't want to risk them in the first push. Now is the time, however. I make a call; Second fleet, comprised of exactly one cloaking starship, and 25 stolen Dyson Gatlings is ready to move. The order is given; We shall rendezvous in hell.. err.. The AI core station. Same thing I suppose.

Even as lightly defended as it is, the remnants of my fleet are barely able to hold them off in time for the reinforcements to arrive. But when they arrive, ohh is that a sight for sore eyes. The purely functional gatlings have their own beauty and elegance.. And its a damn fine sight to see working in the middle of a warzone. They spin up their cannons, and prepare for the order.. The order to end it all.

Fire!

All weapons open up on the virtually defenseless Core station. "Not much of a threat, are yah now!" I taunt the station, coms open and broadcasting on all frequencies. This seems to get whats left of the AI forces a bit riled up - Now, I've got everything they have in the area after me, and I have no doubts they are willing to shoot to kill.

Hole after hole is torn into the AI station, with coolant pouring into space, almost covering the area in a fine mist, as if it was some bizarre morning fog. Little tunnels can be seen leading through the fog where my missiles engaged the enemy. As time passes, the gatlings seem to become slower.. quieter. Farther away, even. As the last few bits were torn off the station, it seemed almost surreal. Could this really be it? Have I finally finished this gods forsaken battle? Can I finally go home.. live a normal life?

Whats left of the command station drifts apart, leaving wide swaths of coolant in their wake. Somewhere, almost miles away, I hear sounds of celebration, people shouting over the coms..

In actuality, the battle probably took less time than it took to read through this :) After the initial engagement, however, everything just seems a blur. I dont quite remember much between the first lighting strike and the station going boom..
Ideas? Suggestions? Concerns? Bugs to be squashed? Report them on the Mantis Bugtracker!

Author of the Dyson Project and the Spire Gambit

Offline RCIX

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Re: The Dyson Project
« Reply #5 on: January 26, 2010, 03:23:09 am »
You could be a writer! i was on the edge of my proverbial seat! :D
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Offline Kordy

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Re: The Dyson Project
« Reply #6 on: January 26, 2010, 04:29:18 am »
Ha, loved it! Much better than my cheez-it warhead spams :P

Offline carlosjuero

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Re: The Dyson Project
« Reply #7 on: January 26, 2010, 06:24:18 am »
A frikkin Plus for that AR in story form! Now THAT was an After Action Report :D

Offline Lancefighter

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Re: The Dyson Project
« Reply #8 on: January 26, 2010, 06:22:35 pm »
Thanks for the good reviews guys.. I usually dont think of myself as much of a writer, but I might do more like this now  ;)
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Offline orzelek

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Re: The Dyson Project
« Reply #9 on: January 26, 2010, 06:59:44 pm »
Thanks for the good reviews guys.. I usually dont think of myself as much of a writer, but I might do more like this now  ;)

Please do - it's an excellent read :D

Offline deMangler

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Re: The Dyson Project
« Reply #10 on: January 31, 2010, 11:20:58 am »
Nice one!  I really felt like I was in the middle of things!
 :)

Offline ShdNx

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Re: The Dyson Project
« Reply #11 on: November 27, 2010, 07:26:30 pm »
Excellent story Lancefighter, I love every single word of it! You're a real talent man!
Thank you so much!

Offline Draco18s

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Re: The Dyson Project
« Reply #12 on: December 01, 2010, 11:34:11 am »
Not to mention that building the command station resets the 2 hour timer on the rebel colony, so you'd only need to piss the Dyson off once every 2 hours or so (for 12 seconds).

Offline danando

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Re: The Dyson Project
« Reply #13 on: February 21, 2011, 10:25:47 am »
lance you should ask for a AI WAR story board for all your future stories to go.... keep makin em
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Offline Entrenched Homperson

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Re: The Dyson Project
« Reply #14 on: February 21, 2011, 12:55:50 pm »
I have no clue why that was so entertaining  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Awesomeness :P
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